Key Takeaways
- June Beutel, an 87-year-old deaf woman with dementia, has been living in a nursing home in Brisbane without Auslan support for two years.
- The lack of Auslan services in aged care facilities is a nationwide issue, with many Deaf seniors facing isolation and communication barriers.
- There is a shortage of Auslan-fluent support workers, and the pathway to train existing staff takes time.
- The Australian government does not provide funding for Auslan services in aged care, leaving families to advocate for their loved ones.
- Deaf seniors are at risk of falling through the cracks, with their cultural and communication needs often overlooked in aged care settings.
Introduction to the Issue
Every day, June Beutel sits alone in her nursing home, unable to connect with those around her. Born deaf, she has spent the past two years living in a Brisbane nursing home without Auslan support, despite having dementia. Her niece, Brita Murphy, has been advocating for Auslan services for her aunt, highlighting the gaps in care available for Deaf seniors in Australia. The process has been disheartening, with Ms Murphy feeling that it is unacceptable that in 2025, a deaf person in an aged care facility cannot have access to Auslan.
The Challenges of Aged Care for Deaf Seniors
The Chief Executive of Deaf Connect, Brett Casey, says that June Beutel’s story reflects the experiences of many families trying to secure culturally appropriate care for Deaf seniors. Most mainstream nursing homes do not have access to an Auslan-proficient workforce, and there is a nationwide shortage of Auslan-fluent support workers. The pathway to train existing staff takes time, and the Australian government does not provide funding for Auslan services in aged care. This means that Deaf seniors like June Beutel are often left to rely on family members for communication, which can be isolating and frustrating.
The Impact on Deaf Seniors and Their Families
The lack of Auslan services in aged care facilities has a significant impact on Deaf seniors and their families. June Beutel’s family visits her each week, but she is often left alone, signing to herself and interacting with nobody. When her niece visits, she bursts into tears, saying "I’m on my own, it’s just me" and expressing her confusion and isolation. The emotional toll on families is significant, with Ms Murphy feeling disheartened and frustrated by the lack of support for her aunt. The situation is further complicated by the fact that Auslan is not included as an option in the language list when applying for My Aged Care, creating access barriers from the first step.
Advocacy and Activism
Brita Murphy has been exploring avenues for Auslan support for her aunt, contacting national peak bodies, the Commonwealth Volunteer Visitors Scheme, and her local MP. However, despite her efforts, she has been met with a lack of funding and support. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing funds Deaf Connect, which provides the National Sign Language Program (NSLP), but the NSLP does not provide funding for aged care workers. This means that families like Ms Murphy’s are left to advocate for their loved ones, often with limited success. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has launched an investigation into Auslan accessible services, but the outcome is still uncertain.
The Need for Change
Professor Piers Dawes, director of the Centre for Hearing Research at the University of Queensland, says that people like June Beutel can fall through the cracks due to the lack of recognition and support for hearing impairments in aged care settings. The cultural and communication needs of Deaf people are often overlooked, despite being a basic level of care. Regis Aged Care Blackburn in Victoria has a dedicated wing for Deaf residents, with staff either deaf themselves or trained in Auslan. However, more facilities like this are needed to meet the growing demand for culturally appropriate care. Deaf advocate Sherrie Beaver is worried that the aged care sector is not prepared for the next two decades, when many Deaf individuals will be entering care settings.
Conclusion
The story of June Beutel highlights the urgent need for change in the aged care sector. Deaf seniors like her are at risk of falling through the cracks, with their cultural and communication needs often overlooked. The lack of Auslan services in aged care facilities is a nationwide issue, and it is unacceptable that in 2025, Deaf seniors are still facing isolation and communication barriers. It is essential that the Australian government provides funding for Auslan services in aged care and that more facilities like Regis Aged Care Blackburn are established to meet the growing demand for culturally appropriate care. By recognizing the importance of Auslan and Deaf culture, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive aged care system for all.